The 26th Annual Bank of Namibia Symposium, held in Windhoek on 13 November 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s economic discourse. Under the theme, “Unleashing the Power of the Creative Industries: A Catalyst for Economic Development,” Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Vice-President of Namibia, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the transformative potential of the creative sector in shaping Namibia’s future.
Addressing a distinguished audience including the Bank Governor Dr. Johannes !Gawaxab, government ministers, industry professionals, and entrepreneurs, Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored that Namibia’s economic future will be driven by creativity rather than solely its natural resources. While traditional sectors such as mining, fisheries, and agriculture have been cornerstones of the economy, they have fallen short in delivering sufficient jobs, inclusivity, and resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed vulnerabilities in Namibia’s economic model, reinforcing the urgency to pivot toward an innovation- and creativity-led growth path.
The creative economy, according to the Vice-President, is one of the fastest-growing global sectors, generating over US$2.3 trillion annually and employing more than 6% of the global workforce. Namibia’s youthful and tech-savvy population is well-positioned to lead this transformative wave, provided it can foster the right environment for creative talents to flourish.
Namibia’s government has prioritized the creative industries in its Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) and the SWAPO Party Manifesto 2024 by increasing funding for key institutions like the Namibia Film Commission and the National Arts Council. A landmark initiative is the National Youth Development Fund, which dedicates N$257 million to empower young creatives. The country is also working to develop a “Film and Creative City,” designed to amplify investment, nurture the creative value chain, and showcase Namibian artistry on the global stage.
Despite these steps, obstacles remain, including fragmented policies, cumbersome licensing, and weak intellectual property protections. The government pledges to tackle these issues by building robust digital infrastructure, ensuring fair payment systems for creatives, and enabling Namibian cultural products to shift from local consumption to global export.
Also highlighted was Namibia’s unique cultural brand, enhanced by international film productions and celebrity visits. Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah called for a unified national brand to define Namibia’s identity and creativity while urging the youth to transition from content consumers to producers of authentic Namibian stories and innovations.
Concluding her address, the Vice-President paid tribute to the Bank of Namibia for its visionary leadership in focusing the symposium on the creative industries, affirming creativity as the heartbeat of Namibia’s national identity and a key driver of sustainable economic growth.
